Find the Right Braces for Your Teeth

With many different types of braces to choose from, it can be hard to know which one will be the best choice for your personal lifestyle. Let Dr. Barinaga guide you through the process and find the best solution for you. Call today and receive a FREE consultation for first-time patients!

Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Dr. Barinaga uses the lowest profile brackets available for patient comfort. Made of high-grade stainless steel in the USA, metal braces straighten your teeth, using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colorful smile. Many young patients choose this bracket for the colors (which are changed monthly). 

The clear braces are self-ligating and do not utilize the color elastics. They are less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene as ceramic braces are larger and are more brittle than their metal counterparts. For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on lower teeth.

Clear aligners are a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable acrylic trays that straighten your teeth like braces. Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are less of a hassle. The aligners are comfortable and have no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. Click on the Invisalign link on the main menu for more information.

Lingual braces are hidden behind the teeth and are therefore "invisible" when you smile. Lingual braces are 100% customized to match the shape of your teeth; the metal appliances are created uniquely for you. Lingual braces are a very reasonable option for athletes, models, actors / actresses, musicians who play wind instruments, and adult professionals.

Consider Invisalign to get the beautiful straight teeth you've always wanted - without braces. A complimentary consultation with Dr. Barinaga can determine if Invisalign is right for you. Call to schedule your first appointment today and receive a FREE consultation.

Invisalign uses a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you are wearing. Invisalign is made with 3D computer imaging technology and has been proven effective. More than 70% of orthodontists in the US and Canada are certified to treat with Invisalign.

Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are no problem. They are also comfortable, with no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no metal and wires usually mean you spend less time in your doctor's office getting adjustments. Invisalign also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start, so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.

You wear each set of aligners for about 2 - 3 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move - little by little, week by week - until they have straightened to the final position Dr. Barinaga has prescribed. You'll visit Dr. Barinaga about once every six weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages 9 - 15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.

It is important to take instruction from your orthodontist and practice proper retainer care! Wear your retainer's full time, until the doctor instructs you otherwise, for the best results. If you have any questions regarding the wear and care of your retainer, call Dr. Barinaga.

Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to them faster. Always bring your retainers to your appointments, and if you have any questions or concerns about your retainers or your retainers need adjusting, call us!

For the best results, it is important to take care of your retainer. Always put retainers in their case, especially when you're at a restaurant or at school. Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers remove the plaque and eliminate odors. Efferdent® or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used, but do not take the place of brushing.

When retainers are not in your mouth, they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case. Pets love to chew on them!

Retainer replacement is expensive, so proper retainer care is necessary. But, with the right care, they will last you for years! Be sure to remove retainers when swimming and keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.